2019 running back, AJ Gates, accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Alabama on Tuesday.
C O M M I T T E D 🙏🏽 @AlabamaFTBL @MtnBrookFTBL @AL7AFootball @KyleParmley @BobWeltonBamaFB @Alex_Mortensen_ pic.twitter.com/FoQhFiNPjd
— Aj Gates (@Aj_Gates7) December 18, 2018
“I first off want to thank God for giving me the opportunity and talent to play this game,” Gates said via Twitter. “I would like to thank my parents for supporting me and being with me every step of the way. I want to thank my coaches and everybody else who supported me and pushed me to be the best I can be. With that being said, I would like to say I am committed to the University of Alabama.”
Alabama offered Gates a PWO offer during Iron Bowl weekend and it was a surreal moment for a kid, who always wanted to play at Alabama.
“I was happy,” Gates said. “I was very excited. It was just a great feeling.”
Alabama has a lengthy history of great running backs during the Saban era. They have also had their fair share of walk-on success stories. This and several other factors lead Gates to accept this offer from the Tide.
“Everything about them attracted me,” Gates added. “It is a school that I always wanted to play for.”
The Mountain Brook prospect is a short speedy back. He is very quick on his feet and can make defenders look silly in the open field. He plans to improve on his skills at the next level at the Capstone
“I hope to get better at what I enjoy doing most,” Gates said. “I also want to learn how to play with different people from different states.”
Alabama now has three walk-on commits in the 2019 recruiting class.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
